Surgical site infection following pancreaticoduodenectomy in a referral cancer center in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the standard treatment for resectable periampullary cancer. Surgical site infections (SSI) are common complications with increased morbidity. The study aimed to describe the prevalence, risk factors, microbiology, and outcomes of SSI among patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study in a referral cancer center between January 2015 and June 2021. We analyzed baseline patient characteristics and SSI occurrence. Culture results and susceptibility patterns were described. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine risk factors, proportional hazards model to evaluate mortality, and Kaplan-Meier analysis to assess long-term survival. RESULTS: A total of 219 patients were enrolled in the study; 101 (46%) developed SSI. Independent factors for SSI were diabetes mellitus, preoperative albumin level, biliary drainage, biliary prostheses, and clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula. The main pathogens were Enterobacteria and Enterococci. Multidrug-resistance rate in SSI was high but not associated with increased mortality. Infected patients had higher odds of sepsis, longer hospital stay and intensive care unit stay, and readmission rate. Neither 30-day mortality nor long-term survival was significantly different between infected and non-infected patients. CONCLUSIONS: SSI prevalence among patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy was high and largely caused by resistant microorganisms. Most risk factors were related to preoperative instrumentation of the biliary tree. SSI was associated with greater risk of unfavorable outcomes; however, survival was unaffected.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis index and overall survival in patients taken to cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) secondary to gastrointestinal or gynecological cancer has increased its incidence. It has a worse prognosis compared to other sites of metastasis. The peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) establishes overall survival in patients with gastrointestinal or gynecological tumors and carcinomatosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship of PCI to overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). METHOD: A descriptive, retrolective study of 80 charts of patients with CP was conducted. We included patients with colon, ovarian, appendicular, pseudomyxoma and gastric tumors with CP treated with CRS plus HIPEC. The OS and RFS were determined according to the type of adenocarcinoma and the degree of differentiation. The OS and RFS were determined in months in patients with PCI > 15 PCI as well as in patients with PCI < 15 considering the tumor of origin. RESULTS: Patients with ovarian tumors and pseudomyxoma with PCI < 15 presented OS > 70 months, compared to patients with gastric tumors (4 months). CONCLUSIONS: The PCI and histology are predictors of OS. Patients with ovarian tumors and PCI < 15 have higher OS, similar to pseudomyxomas. RFS was also higher in patients with PCI < 15.

ANTECEDENTES: La incidencia de carcinomatosis peritoneal (CP) secundaria a cáncer gastrointestinal o ginecológico ha aumentado y tiene peor pronóstico en comparación con otros sitios de metástasis. El índice de carcinomatosis peritoneal (ICP) establece la supervivencia global en pacientes con tumores gastrointestinales o ginecológicos y carcinomatosis. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la relación del ICP con la supervivencia global (SG) y la supervivencia libre de recurrencia (SLR) en pacientes tratados con cirugía citorreductora (CCR) más quimioterapia intraperitoneal e hipertemia (HIPEC). MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo, retrolectivo, de 80 expedientes de pacientes con CP. Se incluyeron tumores de colon, ovario, apendicular, pseudomixomas y gástricos con CP tratados con CCR + HIPEC. Se determinaron la SG y la SLR de acuerdo con el tipo de adenocarcinoma y el grado de diferenciación, en meses, en pacientes con ICP > 15 y con ICP < 15 considerando el tumor de origen. RESULTADOS: Los pacientes con tumores de ovario y pseudomixoma con ICP < 15 tenían una SG > 70 meses, frente a 4 meses con tumores gástricos. CONCLUSIONES: El ICP y la histología son predictores de la SG. Las pacientes con tumores ováricos con ICP < 15 tienen mayor SG, igual que los pseudomixomas. La SLR fue mayor en los pacientes con ICP < 15.

Solid and papillary neoplasm of the pancreas (SPNP): a case report.

Background: Solid and papillary neoplasm of the pancreas (SPNP) is a rare pancreatic tumor, well known for its predilection for young women and large volume. The tumor has a favorable prognosis and differentiating it from other pancreatic tumors with aggressive behavior is necessary. Case Description: We present the case of a 34-year-old female without relevant background. She presented with abdominal pain and by fine needle biopsy was diagnosed as ductal carcinoma. During the evaluation, an abdominal ultrasound revealed a pancreatic growth that was "bulky, solid, with irregular margins, in homogeneously hypoechoic, with anechoic areas of necrosis, located lateral to the tail of the pancreas and medial to the upper pole of the left kidney and the lower splenic pole". The patient was admitted, and surgery was performed. At the laparotomy, a tumor of 15 cm in diameter was detected. The tumor was located in the tail of the pancreas, was well encapsulated, and of solid consistency. Caudal pancreatectomy with a splenectomy was carried out. The final pathology diagnosis was a SPNP. Conclusions: In the presence of a large abdominal mass of pancreatic relevance, even in older women, the possibility of having an SPNP should always be evaluated. Given the low malignancy potential of this tumor and the excellent prognosis with radical surgical treatment, the preoperative diagnosis should always be particularly accurate. Surgical resection is recommended as the treatment of choice.

[Clasificación molecular del carcinoma de colon y recto. Una revisión corta].

Traditionally, carcinoma classifications have been based on clinical or pathological features. However, with the development of molecular biology in recent decades, more tumors are increasingly being genetically studied and, in several of them, molecular classifications have been created (the most widely studied and used is that for breast cancer). Colon and rectum cancer are no exception. In this short review, the evolution of colon and rectum cancer molecular classification is explained and the consensus conclusions on the subject are addressed.

Tradicionalmente las clasificaciones de los carcinomas se han basado en características clínicas o patológicas. Sin embargo, en las últimas décadas, con el desarrollo de la biología molecular, cada vez más tumores se están estudiando genéticamente y en varios se han creado clasificaciones moleculares (la más estudiada y utilizada es la de cáncer de mama). El cáncer de colon y recto no es la excepción. En esta revisión corta se explica la evolución de la clasificación molecular del cáncer de colon y recto y se abordan los conclusiones consensuadas al respecto.

Role of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the treatment of gastric cancer.

Patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) of gastric origin have a poor prognosis of life with an average survival of 1-3 months. Systemic chemotherapy has improved the survival of those patients with gastric metastatic cancer at 7-10 months. However, this benefit could not be reproduced in those patients with PC. The current literature for the use of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for gastric PC has significant variation related to patient selection, treatment intent (palliative vs. attempt at curative treatment), surgical technique, intraperitoneal chemotherapy agent utilized, and systemic chemotherapy administered adjuvantly. From the perspective of patient selection for cytoreduction and HIPEC, patients with extensive PC are not candidates. In addition, unresectable location would make a patient a poor candidate for cytoreduction and HIPEC. Optimally, those with positive peritoneal cytology alone could benefit most. However, the role of cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC in patients with PC of gastric origin has not yet been clarified.

Los pacientes con carcinomatosis peritoneal (CP) de origen gástrico tienen un mal pronóstico de vida, con una supervivencia media de 1 a 3 meses. La quimioterapia sistémica ha mejorado la supervivencia de los pacientes con cáncer gástrico metastásico a los 7-10 meses. Sin embargo, este beneficio no se ha podido reproducir en los pacientes con CP. En cuanto a lo relacionado con la literatura actual para el uso de HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy) en la CP de origen gástrico, existe una variación significativa en la selección de pacientes, la intención de tratamiento (paliativo frente a intento de tratamiento curativo), la técnica quirúrgica, el agente quimioterapéutico intraperitoneal utilizado y la quimioterapia sistémica adyuvante administrada. Desde la perspectiva de la selección de pacientes para citorreducción y tratamiento con HIPEC, los pacientes con CP extensa no son candidatos. Además, lesiones irresecables por su localización harían al paciente un pobre candidato para citorreducción y tratamiento con HIPEC. De manera óptima, aquellos pacientes con citología peritoneal positiva en ausencia de CP son quienes más podrían beneficiarse. Sin embargo, el papel de la cirugía citorreductora y del tratamiento con HIPEC en los pacientes con CP de origen gástrico aún no ha sido esclarecido.

Prognostic importance of lymph node ratio after resection of ampullary carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of the lymph node ratio (LNR) in Vater's ampulla carcinomas (VACs) is recently studied. However, there are not enough data in several populations like Latin American people. Our aim is to demonstrate the prognosis significance of the LNR in this setting. METHODS: Pancreaticoduodenectomies for VACs were identified (n=128) from 1980 through 2015. Based on a ROC curve, a cut-off point of 0.1 was assigned for the LNR and the population was divided into two groups for comparison. RESULTS: The LNR ≥0.1 group was statistically significant associated with recurrence (38.5% vs. 19.5%), pT3-T4 tumors (69.2% vs. 29.3%), poorly differentiated tumors (46.2% vs. 17.5%), lymphovascular invasion (61.5 vs. 17.1%), perineural invasion (38.5% vs. 19.5%), and positive margins (15.4% vs. 2.4%). In the multivariate analysis, LNR (HR 2.891; CI: 1.987-3.458, P=0.02), LNM (HR 2.945; CI: 2.478-3.245, P=0.002), perineural invasion (HR 3.327; CI: 3.172-4.156, P=0.003), and recurrence (HR 3.490; CI: 2.896-4.122, P=0.001) were associated with lower survival. CONCLUSIONS: The LNR is a good predictor of survival and worse oncological outcomes for VACs after resection.

Medullary colonic carcinoma with microsatellite instability has lower survival compared with conventional colonic adenocarcinoma with microsatellite instability.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal medullary carcinoma (MC) is a rare subtype of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (PDA) with unclear prognostic significance. Microsatellite instable (MSI) colorectal carcinomas have demonstrated better prognosis in clinical stage II. AIM: To analyze the survival and clinicopathological characteristics of MCs versus PDAs with MSI in clinical stage III. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 22 cases of PDAs with MSI versus 10 MCs. RESULTS: Of the 10 MCs, 7 patients were men; the mean age was 57.8 ±5.6 years. The mean tumor size was 9.6 ±4.1 cm, and the primary site was the right colon in 9; 7 patients showed lymph node metastases (LNM) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI). Of the 22 PDA cases, 12 (54.5%) were women with a mean age of 75 ±16.1 years. The mean tumor size was 6.4 ±3.2 cm. Twelve (54.5%) presented in the right colon, 21 (95.5%) showed LNM and 7 (31.8%) LVI. Follow-up was 32 ±8 months, with a 5-year overall survival of 42.9% for MCs and 76.6% for PDAs (p = 0.048). Univariate analysis found local recurrence (p = 0.001) and medullary subtype (p = 0.043) associated with lower survival. CONCLUSIONS: Medullary carcinomas were of greater tumor size and associated with more LVI and worse survival versus PDAs with MSI in stage III.

Metastatic pheochromocytoma to liver without elevation of metanephrines and catecholamines.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant pheochromocytoma represents 10% of all patients with pheochromocytoma. Of these cases, only 5-9% presents without elevation of metanephrines and catecholamines. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 43-year-old female patient presented with an abdominal tumor. An exploratory laparotomy was performed and the final report was a pheochromocytoma. After ten years, multiple liver lesions were detected and surgical treatment was performed. Pathological evaluation revealed a malignant pheochromocytoma with negative margins after 5 years of follow-up without evidence of disease. DISCUSSION: The recurrence rate of malignant pheochromocytoma is 15-20% at ten years and a 5-year survival rate that ranges from 50% to 80%. The presence of synchronous metastases is rare (10-27%), but have been reported until 20 years later with the most common metastatic sites being the local lymph nodes, bone (50%), liver (50%) and lung (30%). The prognostic factor such as size >6cm, age over 45 years, synchronous metastasis and no tumor excision are related with poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment offers the best survival rate and the only chance of cure so far and the goal is an R0 resection as in our case. So it should be the treatment of choice.

Recomendaciones sobre el manejo del cáncer de páncreas tipo adenocarcinoma en Latinoamérica: Reunión del Consenso del Simposio Latinoamericano de Gastroenterología Oncológica (SLAGO) y de la Asociación Ibero Latinoamericana de Terapia Radiante (ALATRO), Viña del Mar, Chile 2015 / Recommendations for the management of pancreatic cancer type adenocarcinoma: A consensus statement reached during the 2015 Latin American Symposium on Gastroenterological Oncology

Pancreatic cancer is a malignancy of great impact in developed countries and is having an increasing impact in Latin America. Incidence and mortality rates are similar for this cancer. This is an important reason to offer to the patients the best treatments available. During the Latin American Symposium of Gastroenterology Oncology (SLAGO) held in Viña del Mar, Chile, in April 2015, a multidisciplinary group of specialists in the field met to discuss about this disease. The main conclusions of this meeting, where practitioners from most of Latin American countries participated, are listed in this consensus that seek to serve as a guide for better decision making for patients with pancreatic cancer in Latin America.

[Recommendations for the management of pancreatic cancer type adenocarcinoma: A consensus statement reached during the 2015 Latin American Symposium on Gastroenterological Oncology]. / Recomendaciones sobre el manejo del cáncer de páncreas tipo adenocarcinoma en Latinoamérica: Reunión del Consenso del Simposio Latinoamericano de Gastroenterología Oncológica (SLAGO) y de la Asociación Ibero Latinoamericana de Terapia Radiante (ALATRO), Viña del Mar, Chile 2015.

Pancreatic cancer is a malignancy of great impact in developed countries and is having an increasing impact in Latin America. Incidence and mortality rates are similar for this cancer. This is an important reason to offer to the patients the best treatments available. During the Latin American Symposium of Gastroenterology Oncology (SLAGO) held in Viña del Mar, Chile, in April 2015, a multidisciplinary group of specialists in the field met to discuss about this disease. The main conclusions of this meeting, where practitioners from most of Latin American countries participated, are listed in this consensus that seek to serve as a guide for better decision making for patients with pancreatic cancer in Latin America.

Primary retroperitoneal Merkel cell carcinoma: Case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma that affects elderly patients and typically arises in sun-exposed skin. The disease is very rare and only few cases present with no apparent skin lesion. In the retroperitoneum there are only two cases reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 54-year-old Mexican male with MCC, which presented as a large retroperitoneal mass. Pathological and immunohistochemical analysis of the transabdominal CT-guided biopsy specimen revealed a MCC. The patient underwent preoperative chemotherapy followed by a laparotomy and the mass was successfully excised. DISCUSSION: There are two possible explanations for what occurred in our patient. The most plausible theory is the retroperitoneal mass could be a massively enlarged lymph node where precursor cells became neoplastic. This would be consistent with a presumptive diagnosis of primary nodal disease. Moreover, metastasis to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes has been reported as relatively common when compared to other sites such as liver, bone, brain and skin. The less probable theory is the non-described "regression" phenomena of a cutaneous MCC, but we are not found a primary skin lesion. CONCLUSION: Preoperative chemotherapy and excision of the primary tumor is the surgical treatment of choice for retroperitoneal MCC. We propose that further studies are needed to elucidate the true efficacy of chemotherapy in conventional and unconventional patients with MCC.

Un adecuado número de ganglios linfáticos puede ser obtenido en la mayoría de los especímenes quirúrgicos de resección radical de recto después de tratamiento neoadyuvante / An adequate lymph node retrieval is possible in almost all surgical specimens of rectal resection after neoadjuvant treatment

El propósito del estudio fue determinar si en pacientes con cáncer de recto (CR) posterior a tratamiento neoadyuvante (TNA) se puede obtener un adecuado número de ganglios linfáticos (GL) y si este correlaciona con la supervivencia. Setenta pacientes se dividieron en 2 grupos de acuerdo con si recibieron o no TNA. El grupo TNA se dicotomizó en < 12 GL y ≥ 12 GL. Los pacientes del grupo sin TNA mostraron mayor invasión vascular (33,3% vs. 14,3%) y perineural (19% vs. 4,1%). La media de GL del grupo TNA fue 15,7 + 7,1 vs. 27,28 + 14,9 (p = 0,0238) y se disecaron ≥ 12 GL en 74% vs. 90,5% (p = 0,0326). Los subgrupos con <12 y ≥ 12 GL no influyeron en el estadio N, estadio clínico ni supervivencia. La supervivencia media a 5 años del grupo TNA fue 82,3% vs. 76,9% (p = 0,465) (AU)

The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of obtaining an adequate number of lymph nodes (LN) from rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) and to evaluate the correlation of LN with survival. 70 patients were divided into two groups: those who had received NAT and those who had not. The NAT group was further divided into those with < 12 LN and > 12 LN. The non-NAT group showed more lymph vascular invasion (33.3% vs. 14.3%) and perineural invasion (19% vs. 4.1%). Average LN in NAT group was 15.7 + 7.1 vs. 27.28 + 14.9 (p = 0.0238) and ≥ 12 LN were resected in 74% vs. 90.5% (p = 0.0326). The <12 and > 12 LN groups showed no difference in N stage, staging and survival. The 5-yr survival of NAT group was 82.3% v 76.9% (p = 0.465) (AU)

Colonic cribriform carcinoma, a morphologic pattern associated with low survival.

Colorectal carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in the human body. Colorectal carcinoma is a heterogeneous disease with variegated morphological patterns; some have shown themselves to have prognostic value. The World Health Organization classification recognizes many histological variants associated with adverse prognostic factors, one is the cribriform colonic carcinoma (CCC). In this work, we analyzed 18 cases of CCC compared with 228 conventional adenocarcinomas of colon, with the hypotheses that CCC compared with non-CCC have worse prognosis and decreased overall survival. CCC represent 7.3% of all colonic adenocarcinomas in this series, it presents in a median age of 56.3 years, all cases are in clinical stage III and IV, all invade subserosal adipose tissues or serosa, 90% have >5 positive lymph nodes and 89% have lymphovascular invasion. These known adverse prognostic factors reflect a lower 5-year survival, stage by stage, than conventional intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (56.8% vs 83.3%, P = .035). Cribriform carcinoma is a morphologic pattern that is underrecognized; in this work, we demonstrate its association with low survival, extensive lymphovascular invasion, and extensive lymph node metastasis, strong indicators of aggressive disease. Their proper recognition is mandatory to increase the number of cases and series to support our findings and include it in the current classifications.

[Relevance of an adequate pathologic evaluation of radical rectal resection specimens]. / Relevancia de una evaluación patológica adecuada de la resección radical de recto.

BACKGROUND: The most important prognostic factors influencing survival of patients with rectal carcinoma (RC) are lymph node metastases and mesorectal excision (ME). The adequate pathologic examination (APE) of rectal specimens is a standardized pathologic work-up that differs of the conventional colonic/intestinal pathologic work-up. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of APE on staging, lymph node retrieval and survival, with the hypotheses that APE allows high lymph node retrieval and better survival. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patient with surgery for RC from 2004 to 2011. We described the APE of radical rectal resection and we compared the clinical and pathological characteristics and the oncologic results, including survival after and before APE. RESULTS: A total of 185 patients were evaluated, 114 constituted the pre-APE group and 71 the APE group. The mean lymph node retrieval was 13.7 in the pre-APE group and 19.6 in the APE group (P = 0.007). In the APE group we found less local recurrence (20% vs 34%, P = 0.024), more lymph-vascular invasion (20% vs 5%, P = 0.003), higher prevalence of high grade tumors (20% vs 4%, P = 0.001), more alive patients free of disease (75% vs 49%, P = 0.001), more frequent use of neoadjuvant therapy (58% vs 31%, P = 0.001), and and better 4-year survival (78% vs 53%, P = 0.044). CONCLU- SION: The APE is crucial in patients with RC for staging and planning further treatment. An APE added to neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy was associated with better survival.

Displasia globoide del estómago: análisis clinico-patológico e inmunohistoquímico de seis casos / Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of six cases of gastric globoid dysplasia

Antecedentes: Las lesiones preinvasivas de cáncer gástrico de tipo intestinal de Lauren son bien conocidas, sin embargo, las precursoras del carcinoma de células en anillo de sello (SRCC) no se han estudiado con detalle. La supuesta lesión precursora ha sido descrita ambiguamente y denominada como «displasia foveolar», «displasia no metaplásica» o «displasia globoide» (DG). Nosotros describimos 6 casos de DG con un análisis inmunhoistoquímico extenso previamente no descrito. Material y métodos: Recabamos 6 casos de DG de un total de 659 biopsias gástricas con diagnóstico de cáncer (1%). Realizamos el análisis morfológico e inmunohistoquímico de dichos casos. Resultados: La proporción hombre-mujer fue de 1 a 2, la edad promedio fue 62.3 a˜nos (rango 53-83 a˜nos), 2 casos ocurrieron en etapa clínica I, 2 en etapa III y 2 en etapa IV. El seguimiento es de 16 meses (rango de 10-24 meses), un paciente murió por el cáncer, 3 están vivos con enfermedad y los 2 restantes están vivos libres de enfermedad. El perfil inmunohistoquímico de la DG es: MUC5AC (+), Ki-67(+), p53+, p27(+),p16(+); MUC6(-), Na+K+ ATPasa (−) y E-cadherin con intensidad baja. Conclusión: El adecuado reconocimiento de la DG permite el desarrollo de nuevos estudios con mayor número de casos, mejor evaluación clínica mayor seguimiento y mejor caracterización de las anormalidades genéticas subyacentes. El estudio de más casos es necesario(AU)

Background: The pre-invasive lesions of Lauren’s intestinal type of gastric cancer are well recognized but those of signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) have not been studied in detail. The putative precursor lesion of SRCC is poorly and ambiguously described as ‘tubule neck dysplasia’, ‘‘non-metaplastic dysplasia’’ or ‘‘globoid dysplasia’’ (GD). We describe 6 six cases of GD with an extensive immunohistochemical profile that has not been previously reported. Material and method: Six cases of GD were retrieved from 659 cases of gastric biopsies positive for carcinoma (1%). Their clinical, morphological, and immunohistochemical features were analyzed. Results: The male to female ratio was 1:2, the median age was 62.3 years (range 53---83 years), two cases were in clinical stage I, 2 cases in stage III and two cases in stage IV. After a follow-up of an average of 16 months (range 10---24 months), one patient had died from the neoplastic disease, 3 are alive but with disease and the remaining 2 are alive and disease-free. The immunohistochemical profile of GD is MUC5AC (+), Ki-67(+), p53+, p27(+),p16(+); MUC6(−), Na+K+ ATPasa (−) and E-cadherin with reduced intensity. Conclusion: Correct recognition of GD enables new and larger case studies, better clinical evaluation, longer follow-up and better characterization of genetic abnormalities. Thus, the study of more cases of GD is clearly beneficial(AU)

Use of glutaraldehyde-preserved bovine pericardium patch in vascular repair of portal vein in a patient with pancreatic cancer.

Advanced-stage gastrointestinal tumors are aggressive and frequently invade blood vessels. Advances in endovascular surgery can repair blood vessels that may be infiltrated by a tumor. Currently there are many materials to do this, as the use of prostheses or implants and patches. In Mexico, the bovine pericardium preserved with glutaraldehyde has been used to treat incisional, inguinal, and diaphragmatic hernias and repair vascular defects with good results, low cost, and no allergic reaction from the patient. We report the case of a 47-year-old man, with a history of smoking and alcoholism, diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The tumor, with the use of endoscopic ultrasound, showed direct contact with the portal vein without invading the confluence of the mesenteric vein. During exploratory laparotomy, a tumor attached to the head of the pancreas of 4 cm × 4 cm was found, with tumor invasion of 1 cm × 2 cm on the outer sidewall of the portal vein. We performed pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy and tumor resection of the portal vein wall with placement of glutaraldehyde-preserved bovine pericardium patch to repair it. The intraoperative and immediate postoperative period arose without complications. The patient was discharged with good result and is currently under surveillance. We report this case to show a successful result using glutaraldehyde-preserved bovine pericardium to close vascular defects after resection of the tumor secondary to vascular invasion.

Relevancia de una evaluación patológica adecuada de la resección radical de recto / [Relevance of an adequate pathologic evaluation of radical rectal resection specimens].

BACKGROUND: The most important prognostic factors influencing survival of patients with rectal carcinoma (RC) are lymph node metastases and mesorectal excision (ME). The adequate pathologic examination (APE) of rectal specimens is a standardized pathologic work-up that differs of the conventional colonic/intestinal pathologic work-up. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of APE on staging, lymph node retrieval and survival, with the hypotheses that APE allows high lymph node retrieval and better survival. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patient with surgery for RC from 2004 to 2011. We described the APE of radical rectal resection and we compared the clinical and pathological characteristics and the oncologic results, including survival after and before APE. RESULTS: A total of 185 patients were evaluated, 114 constituted the pre-APE group and 71 the APE group. The mean lymph node retrieval was 13.7 in the pre-APE group and 19.6 in the APE group (P = 0.007). In the APE group we found less local recurrence (20

, P = 0.003), higher prevalence of high grade tumors (20

, P = 0.001), more alive patients free of disease (75

, P = 0.001), more frequent use of neoadjuvant therapy (58

, P = 0.001), and and better 4-year survival (78

, P = 0.044). CONCLU- SION: The APE is crucial in patients with RC for staging and planning further treatment. An APE added to neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy was associated with better survival.

Relevancia de una evaluación patológica adecuada de la resección radical de recto. / [Relevance of an adequate pathologic evaluation of radical rectal resection specimens].

BACKGROUND: The most important prognostic factors influencing survival of patients with rectal carcinoma (RC) are lymph node metastases and mesorectal excision (ME). The adequate pathologic examination (APE) of rectal specimens is a standardized pathologic work-up that differs of the conventional colonic/intestinal pathologic work-up. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of APE on staging, lymph node retrieval and survival, with the hypotheses that APE allows high lymph node retrieval and better survival. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patient with surgery for RC from 2004 to 2011. We described the APE of radical rectal resection and we compared the clinical and pathological characteristics and the oncologic results, including survival after and before APE. RESULTS: A total of 185 patients were evaluated, 114 constituted the pre-APE group and 71 the APE group. The mean lymph node retrieval was 13.7 in the pre-APE group and 19.6 in the APE group (P = 0.007). In the APE group we found less local recurrence (20

vs 34

, P = 0.024), more lymph-vascular invasion (20

vs 5

, P = 0.003), higher prevalence of high grade tumors (20

vs 4

, P = 0.001), more alive patients free of disease (75

vs 49

, P = 0.001), more frequent use of neoadjuvant therapy (58

vs 31

, P = 0.001), and and better 4-year survival (78

vs 53

, P = 0.044). CONCLU- SION: The APE is crucial in patients with RC for staging and planning further treatment. An APE added to neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy was associated with better survival.

Lung metastasectomy: long-term outcomes in an 18-year cohort from a single center.

Lung metastasectomy is an area of interest and controversy in surgical oncology. Most of the available evidence derives from small cohorts with short follow-up. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oncologic outcomes in an 18-year cohort from a single center. We retrospectively reviewed 398 patients with several malignancies who underwent lung metastasectomy between January 1990 and December 2008. Demographic, clinical, and surgical variables were evaluated. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with overall survival (OS). Mean follow-up was 20 months. Wedge resection was performed in 297 cases and 101 required anatomic resections. In 303 patients the disease-free interval (DFI) was >6 months meanwhile 95 patients had a DFI ≤6 months. Complete resection was achieved in 351 patients (88.2%). Median OS for all patients was 81.9 months (95% CI, 36.9-126.9). On multivariate analysis, factors associated with a poor overall survival were DFI <6 months (HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.24-2.4; p=0.001) and incomplete resection (HR, 1.58 95% CI, 1.01-2.5; p=0.0047). Independent prognostic factors associated with better survival were DFI >6 months and complete resection. Size and number of metastases as well as re-do metastasectomy were not associated with worse survival.